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Synthesis

"Security issues related to tourism in remote mountainous destinations"

[Session II (April 7-11) of the "People, Parks and Mountain Tourism" e-consultation series co-organised by
The Bridges-PRTD, Namche Conference and Asia Pacific Mountain Network]

Moderation and Synthesis by: Seth Sicroff

Contributors: Shoaib, Empar Alos, Janya Sang-Arun, Lhakpa Sherpa, Layton Montgomery, Marcia O'Neill,
Alka Sabharwal, Ghazi Alam , NS Jodha, Deanne Hart, Ujol Sherchan, Paramjeet Singh, Muhdayaz, Suman Rai,
Peter Zahler, Guillermo Garcķa Zamora, Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Phuntshok Tshering

Technical Support provided by: MF-Asia Moderator, Asia Pacific Mountain Network

I. Background

I.A. Scope of the issue

Security is an issue in mountain tourism both insofar as it directly affects stakeholders (visitors, hosts, and tourism service providers) and because the perception of danger may affect the economic viability of a tourism destination.

I.B.1. Sources of danger include:

B.2. Aggravating factors include the following:

II. Discussion

II. A. Research on natural hazards

(Sicroff): We need more research, especially on GLOF dangers; an appropriate site would be Tsho Rolpa in Rolwaling, where current hazard mitigation measures do not meet the objectives prescribed by prior studies.

II. B. Safe climbing

(Sicroff): It is proposed to hold an international symposium ("Everest Summit: Setting the Standard") to address issues of safety and ethics regarding alpinism.

Agenda

* Set index of peak and route difficulty, require climbing applicants to document prior climb of near-comparable difficulty (e.g., if a certain route on Everest is rated 8.4, a permit can only be issued to climbers who have succeeded on a 7.9 or better). Advantages: less crowding and incompetence on Everest; more attention to lesser known but more challenging peaks; index-bagging allows climber to compete for overall or average points, rather than for redundant Everest ascents.

* Request Guinness to ignore junk records.

* Porters: awareness, better pay, insurance, equipment, safety standards. However: improved wages and benefits result in higher portering costs for the entire region (economic distortion); regulation would lead to evasive tactics, corruption, bureaucratic tar pits.

II.C. Personal safety of trekkers

(Shoaib): More prudence on the part of trekkers - attention to natural hazards, social unrest, and personal fitness.

(Sang-Arun): Trekkers should not demand security guarantees.

(O'Neill): Trekkers do not want park or other authorities to take the role of over-protective parents.

(O'Neill): Trekkers should be reminded of the dangers of dehydration and of stepping off-trail - for instance, when trying to compose a photograph.

(Lhakpa Sherpa): We need a well-trained and -equipped mountain rescue squad; this would be staffed by local climbers familiar with the terrain. But how would it be funded?

(Hart): Trekkers (including her sister) have gone missing in Solu-Khumbu, and foul-play was certainly a factor in some cases. "Police corruption, prejudice toward women, and government instability" greatly diminish the likelihood of competent investigation. Recommendations: Be careful hiring your porters, treat all with respect and do not - especially if you're female - travel alone under any circumstances.

(Ujol): For safety, remember the "rule of three" - if one is hurt, the second can stay with him or her while the third goes for help.

(Khan and Zahler): Attacks are typically the result of cultural insensitivity by the trekkers. The best recourse is to employ a well-trained guide.

(Rai): Local communities may feel threatened by solitary travelers; it is best therefore to travel in a group.

(Alam): The incidence of criminal attacks by locals is not high enough to justify attention; on the other hand, more attention needs to be paid to natural hazards that affect locals such as earthquake and attack by wild animals.

(Sicroff): For many, solitude is an essential aspect of the wilderness experience.

(Singh and Zamora): We should not try to turn pristine wilderness into a packaged, sanitized commercial playground. This is not only an aesthetic issue, but also involves economics and conservation, as the packaged wilderness is inevitably a product for mass tourism.

(Mingma Norbu): Many travelers falsely report theft of valuables in order to defraud their insurers. In fact, the Khumbu is safe and peaceful.

II.D. Security related to development and planning

(Alos): Be aware of the "A-Factor" (malicious, destructive and criminal behavior) - for example theft by local residents of materials used in hazard mitigation projects.

(Lhakpa Sherpa): Proper participatory planning can protect projects.

(Montgomery and Alam): Naļve planners and trekkers are responsible for losses attributed to the A-Factor.

(Sang-Arun): It is important to persuade the host community, especially the leadership, that they have a stake in the project.

(O'Neill): Lack of cooperation, leading to cut-throat competition, among lodges and other tourism service providers may be another manifestation of the A-Factor.

(Sicroff): Blaming naļve victims and benefactors will not solve this widespread but generally unacknowledged problem.

II. E. Participation and administration

(Sabharwal): Effective management is a key factor: regulations must be enforced. The consent and participation of local communities in risk management is essential.

(Phuntshok Tsering): Concern for the security of visitors should be matched by concern for the security of hosts.

II. F. Economic security

(Jodha): Economic security for remote touism destinations is linked to global economic conditions

III. Questions for discussion at Namche

III. A. To what extent is the national government responsible for the safety of visitors in remote areas? Should an area remain closed if basic services cannot be provided? If so, which services? Telephone, radio, police, clinic, helicopter evacuation? Road access? Electricity? What services should a park provide? What responsibilities does an embassy have for its nationals? What standards should be set for rescue and evacuation services?

III. B. In the view of the host community, what are the most significant dangers deriving from tourism? What dangers have been alleviated due to tourism? What steps can be taken to (further) mitigate hazards to the host communities and individuals?

III. C. How do locals perceive the behavior of visitors? In what ways do they incur risks that could be avoided?

III. D. Utility and viability of specific recommendations:

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